This is a ringtailed lemur. All lemurs are endangered or threatened species because there is only one place in the world where they occur naturally – Madagascar. Many species went extinct in the last centuries, mainly due to habitat destruction (deforestation) and hunting. Although conservation efforts are under way, options are limited because of the lemurs’ limited range and because of Madagascar’s economic situation. There are 85 living lemur species accounted for in current publications, with more documentation currently awaiting publication. Indigenous superstitions that strepsirrhines like the nocturnal Aye-aye are omens and harbingers of bad fortune motivate some locals in remote areas to post hunting traps.

One of the foremost lemur research facilities is the Duke University Lemur Center (info from Wikipedia).